Donald Austin

Donald Elmer Austin, age 94, passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2021; at Winter Village in Frankenmuth. Donald Austin was born on December 19, 1926, in Saginaw, MI, the second of three children to George and Helen Austin. At the age of 17, he joined the US Army and served in World War II, stationed in Okinawa, Japan. After completing his military service, Don had many adventures living in California and Alaska. In 1948, he met Marcella Desrosier on a blind date with friends Bob Buhl and Sally Brown Peters – a blind date that lasted 70 years. He and Marcella married on September 2, 1950, living in Saginaw and raising their family on Sheridan Road until they moved to Frankenmuth, MI in 2019. Don provided for his family by working for Borden Dairy, driving an ice-cream truck all over central Michigan. The children’s friends enjoyed coming over to play games in the basement because they knew the freezer was well stocked with ice-cream treats. Family vacations were spent “at the cabin up north” on Hardwood Lake. After Don and Marcella retired, they spent many winters in Panama City Beach, FL, and Kure Beach, NC, often hosting family and friends to join them at the beach. (Don’s family fondly remembers a stirring rendition of the “12 Days of Christmas” while joining Don in the resort hot tub.) Don is survived by his loving wife, Marcella, and their children and spouses, Wayne and Cathy Austin of South Boardman, MI; Laura and Don Gerken of Saginaw, MI; and Brian and Janet Austin of Apex, NC; 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, Amie Austin Oliva and Mario Oliva (Amara, Arria, and Asher); Jennifer Madajski-Michalik and Brad Michalik (Austin, Rylind, Sophia, and Kendyl); Hannah and Daniel Steitler; Brian and Emily Austin (Adeline); Adam Austin; Keri and Marvin Blair (Edward); and Erik Enevoldsen; his brother Bill Austin of Harrison Mi; sister-in-law Aldia Pavlik, Clairton, PA; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ted and Peggy Desrosier, Saginaw, MI; sister-in-law Mary Lou Desrosier, West Bend, WI; several nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents George and Helen Austin, his parents-in-law Mary and David Desrosier; sister Marilyn Wright; and his beloved daughter Brenda Austin Hunter. Visitation will take place Thursday, January 7, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Service at 12:00 p.m. at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Ave., Saginaw, MI 48602. Rev. Fr. John Mancini will officiate. For those who wish to partake in the service via zoom, please use the link provided Virtual service for Donald Austin Funeral Time: Jan 7, 2021 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82006230924 Meeting ID: 820 0623 0924 One tap mobile +13017158592,,82006230924# US (Washington D.C) +13126266799,,82006230924# US (Chicago) In accordance with current state mandated restrictions, safe distancing and limitations on number gathered within the building will be observed. Attendees are also kindly asked to wear a mask or other facial covering while inside the funeral home, per state requirement. Burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Saginaw. In lieu of flowers, you may consider a memorial contribution to the Yellow Ribbon Guard (Attn: Melissa Alex), Post Office Box 31, Bay City, MI 48701, or St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Bridgeport, MI. For information, please call (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com.

Donald Austin

December 19, 1926 - January 2, 2021